Why are people queuing to take selfies in front of a plywood panel in Rome?

Inside the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, people are queuing to take selfies in front of an ordinary plywood panel used in construction sites.

As one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches in Italy’s capital, the basilica features stunning 5th-century mosaics, a gilded ceiling and Baroque-era additions.

Considering this, it almost feels embarrassing – at a glance – that pilgrims, tourists and even Italians are paying attention to this oddly placed wooden slab instead of the historic relics surrounding.

Word has spread – this is where Pope Francis’ body will be interred.

Yes, it may look like a building site at the moment – only missing a sign that reads ‘Under Constriction’ – but it will soon be a sacred place for Catholics.

There are less than 48 hours to the pontiff’s funeral when Metro visited the Basilica of St Mary Major, located on the other side of Rome’s Tiber River and near Termini Rail Station.

People walk past the wooden board where work in progress is taking place on the spot where Pope Francis will be buried (Picture: AP)

People from all corners of the world patiently wait in line to photograph the spot.

Some kneel, others pose with a smile stretching across their face, unsure of the tone.

Jose, a Mozambique-born priest now living in Canada, was among those stationed near the plywood. Unlike most, he quietly observed and prayed.

Joined by a group of pilgrims, he arrived in Rome on Monday as part of a scheduled trip for the Jubilee Year.

The pontiff’s body will be buried here after his funeral on Saturday (Picture: Gergana Krasteva)

The death of Francis changed everything for him, leaving him in a state of shock.

Jose told Metro: ‘I feel sad because it is a big loss for not just for Catholics but for the world.

‘Francis was a pope of hop – his message was to bring the hope particle for those who were in need, for women and for people who suffer violence and war.

‘We put our hope in his hands because he was speaking in a language that we hoped to hear.’

One of the many couples who posed in front of the spot (Picture: Gergana Krasteva)

For Jose, it is almost a blessing to be in Rome at the time of the pontiff’s death.

He says that the two ‘have kept missing each other’ over the years – once in his homeland Mozambique in September 2019 and then in Canada in July 2022.

The priest had planned to attend Wednesday’s audience with pilgrims in St Peter’s Square to finally meet the Catholic leader.

‘After missing each other twice, I thought, “finally, I will meet him in Rome”, but that was not God’s plan,’ he said.

Visitors pay their respects to Pope Francis, who lies in state inside St Peter’s Basilica (Picture: SOPA Images/S)

‘I queued yesterday to see him and to say goodbye. I am so thankful for his teachings. What I do now as a priest is all inspired by him.’

Following the funeral procession on Saturday, Francis’ coffin will be taken from St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City to the Basilica of St Mary Major.

In his will, he gave simple instructions for his burial: ‘The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.’

Francis also said that throughout his life, he had always entrusted himself to the Virgin Mary.

‘For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major,’ he wrote.

Currently, the Basilica of St Mary Major is open to members of the public until the day of the burial.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.